Tiznow’s incomparable turf specialist Tourist blazed the way in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) to set a new stakes record of 1:31.71, breaking Wise Dan’s record of 1:31.78 set over the same track in 2013.
Tourist is Tiznow’s second Breeders’ Cup winner, joining Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Folklore.
With his second Grade 1 win on the turf this year, plus a runner-up finish in the Shoemaker Mile (G1), Tourist is a likely finalist for Eclipse Champion Turf Male. Those awards will be announced before the end of the year.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile is often a roughly run race, but this year’s edition was different after What a View sprinted to the front, tearing through a quarter mile in :21.81. The field was spread out behind him, with Tourist in a good spot on the rail, about 10 lengths from the front after the half-mile went in :44.61.
What a View began to back up on the turn, and Tourist kept his spot on the fence, getting closer to the front with every stride. Joel Rosario took Tourist off the fence after straightening for home, splitting between Midnight Storm and Miss Temple City to get the lead. With champion Tepin bearing down on the outside, Tourist dug in to beat the filly by a half-length in a superb effort.
“When we came in, we felt like we were really live, and felt like he was one of the horses to beat,” said Elliott Walden, president of WinStar Farm, which bred Tourist and co-owns him in partnership with Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber. “You look at it and think you could run this race ten times and you might have five different winners. So we’re just blessed to get the job done. Bill (Mott) has done a great job, been very patient with him through a couple little bumps in the road…and the culmination is the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 1:31 and change. It’s just an awesome feeling. Very, very classy horse.”
Tourist is now 6-3-4 in 18 starts, with earnings of $2,170,340.
